Scottish Catholic Observer

The Free Church of Scotland has commended the ‘courage’ of Bishop Philip Tartaglia of Paisley who this week challenged the Scottish Government’s stance on proposals to redefine marriage to include same-sex couples.

The Commission of Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland has expressed ‘deep dismay over the Scottish Government’s current proposals to introduce same-sex ‘marriage’ in Scotland.’

The Free Church of Scotland said its opposition to the proposals were based on concerns that ‘the timeless definition of marriage as the voluntary union of one man and one woman would be changed irreversibly’ and ‘the timeless institution of marriage would be permanently undermined if the government effectively changes its meaning to include same-sex couples.’

The Free Church leaders added that they ‘wished to applaud the courage’ of Bishop Tartaglia and support his ‘clear statements in opposition to same-sex ‘marriage.’’

Bishop Tartaglia this week sent a letter to Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond in which he warned of a ‘serious chill’ in relations between the Scottish Government and the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland and said the First Minister is ‘losing the confidence of the Catholic community’ over his government’s proposals to redefine marriage and its confused handling of the sectarian issue. The bishop and Mr Salmond are due to meet tomorrow to discuss matters.

Peter Kearney, spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland, welcomed the support of the Free Church.

“The supportive comments offered by the Free Church, in regards to the importance of defending marriage from arbitrary redefinition and the seriousness of family as the bedrock of society, are greatly welcomed and appreciated by the Catholic Church,” Mr Kearney said.

The Free Church of Scotland this week announced that Rev Iain Campbell (above) is to be the Moderator of the General Assembly in 2012.

The announcement was made on Monday night at the church’s October Commission, that met in Edinburgh.

—martin@sconews.co.uk